Council Tax

Your Council Tax bill will look a bit different this year because Barrow, Eden, South Lakeland and Cumbria County Council are reforming to become a unitary authority called Westmorland and Furness.

You can find information about:

• how to pay your bill
• support you can get to pay your bill
• how your bill is calculated
• Council Tax discounts
• Council Tax reduction scheme

Select your local area for more information:

• Barrow
• Eden
• South Lakeland

Changes to Council Tax 2023/24

The new Westmorland and Furness Council will launch on April 1 to provide all services across the area previously covered by Cumbria County Council, Barrow Borough Council, Eden District Council and South Lakeland District Council.

The Shadow Authority for Westmorland and Furness Council has agreed the new council’s budget for 2023/24, including changes to council tax.

The Shadow Authority has voted to:

• implement a 4.99% rise in council tax from 1 April. This is made up of a 2.99% basic increase plus another 2% specifically to help fund adult social care, known as the Adult Social Care Precept
• harmonise council tax levels across the Westmorland and Furness area from 1 April
• introduce a 100% council tax premium on second homes from 2024/25.

The decision to double council tax charged for second homes from 2024/25 was taken alongside other decisions intended to help the council tackle the affordable housing crisis in the area. These include doubling council tax on properties kept empty for more than five years, and tripling council tax if kept empty for more than 10 years.

More detailed information on changes to Council Tax is included in the new council’s budget for 2023/24.